Late director, who was found dead in home, helped Hrithik Roshan in his debut

The Hindi film industry is mourning the loss of seasoned filmmaker MM Baig, who passed away earlier this week. Several media platforms reported his demise on February 19, 2026. The information was initially shared by his public relations representative, Hanif Zaveri, during a conversation with Press Trust of India. While a number of reports suggested that the director suffered a cardiac arrest, no official confirmation regarding the exact cause of death has been issued by his family.

Discovered at His Mumbai Residence

As per Zaveri’s account, the filmmaker had been experiencing health complications for a considerable period and was residing alone in his Mumbai apartment. When he did not step outside for nearly four to five days, residents in the neighborhood became concerned after noticing an unpleasant odor emanating from his home. They subsequently alerted the authorities.

Upon arriving at the premises, police officers forced entry and discovered Baig’s lifeless body inside. His daughter was informed immediately. Later, during the early hours between approximately 1:30 and 2:00 am, his mortal remains were transported to Cooper Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Zaveri remembered him as a warm-hearted and compassionate individual while offering prayers for his soul.

Family Background and Baby Guddu’s Career

MM Baig was the father of former child performer Baby Guddu, born Shahinda Baig in 1980. As a young actor, she appeared in several Hindi films, including Pyar Kiya Hai Pyar Karenge, Kudrat Ka Kanoon, and Aakhir Kyon?. Her final screen appearance was in Inspector Dhanush, released in 1991. Information listed in the trivia section of IMDb indicates that she is presently employed as a flight attendant with an airline based in Dubai. Her mother was Mumtaz Baig.

Contribution to Hrithik Roshan’s Early Career

Zaveri also disclosed that Baig played an instrumental role in shaping the early career of Hrithik Roshan. When the actor prepared for his debut in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, directed by Rakesh Roshan, Baig assisted him with pronunciation, dialogue articulation, and voice modulation techniques. The late director reportedly shared a close association with Rakesh Roshan and was widely respected for his command over diction and performance training.

Directorial Journey

After working as an assistant under established filmmakers, Baig ventured into direction with Masoom Gawah in 1990. The project starred his daughter alongside Naseeruddin Shah and Anita Raaj. However, due to production setbacks, the film never saw a theatrical release. He later helmed Chhoti Bahoo, an adaptation of the Bengali film Choto Bou. Released in 1994, it featured a large ensemble cast including Deepak Tijori, Shilpa Shirodkar, Kader Khan, Tiku Talsania, Bindu, Reema Lagoo, Anant Mahadevan, Kunickaa Sadanand, and Sushmita Mukherjee, among others.